This weekend, the Lynx Cross Country Team hosted the Annual Rhodes College Invitational at Shelby Farms Park. The meet featured DI, DII, and DIII teams across the Mid-South region, including SAA conference rivals Centre and Berry College. The course was modified this season from previous years for both the Women's 6K and Men's 8K races. The Men's race started at 8 a.m., with the Women following at 8:50 a.m. 

For the 1st 8K of the season, the Lynx competed well. Senior Austin Rhea finished with a time of 27:16. He commented after the race the team has a lot more work to do with their eyes focused on peaking at the end of the season at the conference championship, which will be hosted by Rhodes at the Shelby Farms Course in November. Diego Donald followed Rhea, who came in at 27:34.79. Jack Hinds, freshman, came in after for the Lynx at 28:44.06 for his first competitive 8K. 

The Women raced their 1st 6K of the season, and the new course, which added hills and more direct sunlight to their path, proved challenging for many competitors. Yet, Freshman Elena Gentry stood out for the Lynx, finishing 4th overall in a competition featuring Division 1 racers. Gentry finished at 23:23.16 and, in a post-race interview, stated how excited she is for this team's potential as conference title contenders. Sienna Collier came in next for the Lynx with a time of 24:45.70. Hannah Jane Miller came in just behind her at 25:04.47. 

We are proud of our Lynx Cross Country athletes and looking forward to the rest of the season, with today being their 1st competition in the 6K and 8K races.